This Day in Music: June 17th

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Born on this day:

1930, Cliff Gallup, guitarist, Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps
1946, Barry Manilow, singer, songwriter
1947, Glenn Buxton, guitar, Alice Cooper Band
1947, Paul Young, singer, Sad Cafe

1954, guitarist Danny Cedrone died following a freak accident after he had recorded the lead guitar break on “Rock Around The Clock” with Bill Haley and His Comets. For more on this story, see This Day in Music Spotlight.

1955, after a month of booking gigs in larger venues in Dallas and Houston, Colonel Tom Parker arranged a meeting with Elvis Presley's manager, Bob Neal, resulting in an agreement that saw the Colonel handle Presley's gigs and career strategy from now on.

1965, The Kinks and the Moody Blues made their U.S. concert debut at the Academy of Music in New York City.

1971, Carole King went to #1 on the U.S. album chart with Tapestry for the first of 15 consecutive weeks. The album contained “It's Too Late,” “I Feel the Earth Move,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” and “You've Got a Friend.”

1972, Don McLean had his first U.K. #1 single with “Vincent.” The song was written about the 19th century artist Vincent Van Gogh. The song is played daily at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

1977, After Jimmy Helms pulled out of a gig at Shoreditch College, the members of the social committee decided to call upon famous local, Elton John who lived up the road and ask if he would perform. Elton did the gig for two bottles of wine.

1978, Andy Gibb became the first solo artist in the history of the U.S. charts to have his first three releases reach #1, when “Shadow Dancing” hit the top of the chart. Spending seven weeks at #1 it became the best selling single in the U.S. in 1978.

2008, Welsh singer Duffy's single Mercy was named song of the year at the Mojo magazine awards held in London. Best breakthrough act went to The Last Shadow Puppets - the side project of Arctic Monkeys singer Alex Turner. Other acts honored at the reader-voted Mojo Honours included Led Zeppelin, Paul Weller, the Sex Pistols and Genesis. Ska band the Specials were welcomed into the Mojo Hall of Fame and former Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman John Fogerty, won the inspiration award for his contribution to rock music.

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